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I mentioned on one of the recent Twincast episodes that I was working on a novel. I finished it sometime in February and I am now in the middle of learning about and struggling through the publishing process.

This is something big for me because I am not doing this as a side project, this is not something I am playing at or "exploring". I have set my career aside for a few years while I have the opportunity and I am writing full-time while my wife finishes her post-doctoral research.

Since it was the articles I wrote for this site many years ago that got me thinking about this, I thought I would share some of this here first.

The stuff I am working on is straight up fantasy fiction literature with a dystopian/steam-punk bend to it. I began work on my first book, Master of the House in September 2011 and finished it five months later.

I'm basically doing what you always hear about in school and in terms of all the crap people tell you about following your dreams. I'm giving a shot to doing what I really love doing. I have no idea if this will work out or if there's any hope it will succeed.

If you would like to see what I'm doing, read some of my sample stuff (there will be more, the site is only a week old), or hear my insight on character and world creation; please visit my blog here: http://legacyofshadow.com/

Thanks for any and all support. Following me on Twitter or leaving comments all over the site would be very helpful for me. Thanks guys, this is really something that has a small part of its inception here at Seibertron.

The best of luck CP! Rrmember, Fantasy Fiction's a double edged blade, you gotta be careful wich way you swing it. Seriously though, good luck. Iv'e got my own fiction to write too, but you sound WAY farther along. Mine's also got steampunk influence .STEAMPUNK FTW!

8 bit wrote:Just finished the first chapter you have posted on your website. This is really good stuff. I think making dialogue interesting and engaging is difficult, but you seem to pull it off nicely.

Did you do any research about writing, character progression, or mythology; or did you just dive in and go for it?

I came up with my character ideas and dove right in. I appreciate the compliment. Strong characterization is what I strive for, so what you said has weight for me.

RhA wrote:I don't know cr*p about writing, I can only tell if I liked it or not.

I know a bit about publishing. First, you need an agent. You can find hundreds of the website I'll link to the end of this paragraph. Different agents have different requirements; some want specific genres, some may require the first 20 pages or the first chapter, the storyline. It varies. Just be ready for some copy-and-pasting. The agent is a representative of a publishing company, and if they accept you work, you're as good as gold. My only advice: send it out to like four or five, because I can almost garauntee the first few will probably turn you down.

prowl123 wrote:I will be buying this if it is published, It seems very interesting.

I know a bit about publishing. First, you need an agent. You can find hundreds of the website I'll link to the end of this paragraph. Different agents have different requirements; some want specific genres, some may require the first 20 pages or the first chapter, the storyline. It varies. Just be ready for some copy-and-pasting. The agent is a representative of a publishing company, and if they accept you work, you're as good as gold. My only advice: send it out to like four or five, because I can almost garauntee the first few will probably turn you down.

prowl123 wrote:I will be buying this if it is published, It seems very interesting.

I know a bit about publishing. First, you need an agent. You can find hundreds of the website I'll link to the end of this paragraph. Different agents have different requirements; some want specific genres, some may require the first 20 pages or the first chapter, the storyline. It varies. Just be ready for some copy-and-pasting. The agent is a representative of a publishing company, and if they accept you work, you're as good as gold. My only advice: send it out to like four or five, because I can almost garauntee the first few will probably turn you down.

That is quite a bit of content you have on that website! I like that you are building an entire world and not just a story. Impressive stuff. I started working on the first chapter you put up. I will leave comments for you as I get through it.

I want to congratulate you on going after the dream. Many people wouldn't take that leap.

SJ21 wrote:That is quite a bit of content you have on that website! I like that you are building an entire world and not just a story. Impressive stuff. I started working on the first chapter you put up. I will leave comments for you as I get through it.

I want to congratulate you on going after the dream. Many people wouldn't take that leap.

Thanks dude.

I took your comment and turned the response into my blog post for the day.